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Home » Auto And Trucks Articles » How To Avoid Counterfeit Auto Accessories

How to Avoid Counterfeit Auto Accessories

If you are unfamiliar with what makes aftermarket accessories the genuine article or a shady deal, then you may not be able to recognize a counterfeit performance car accessory when you see it. Counterfeits exist in every conceivable market, and discount car accessories are no exception.

This problem is nothing new. Over the last 20 years, criminals have sold phony high-performance car accessories for reduced prices. Loss of revenue for the automotive industry is not the on negative result. The less expensive price can save you some money while driving a car from accelerating gas prices. But consider this: most discount car accessories and parts sacrifice quality and safety with inexpensive and weaker materials.

Counterfeiters are clever people. They can create aftermarket auto accessories realistic enough to fool you long enough for it to be too late to do anything about. Several years ago, CBS Evening News ran a report on very crucial aftermarket automotive accessories: counterfeit brake pads. These pads were made of compressed grass clippings and wood chips, useless as brake pads. When you need to stop fast in an emergency situation, grass isn't going to cut it. When it comes to purchasing performance automotive accessories, stick with a brand name you know you can trust.

Is there a way for the average person to be protected against after market automotive accessory fraud?

Here is something to remember: A price that seem too good to be true, generally is! Seeing a popular brand of auto body kit that you've been eying available for half price may be a scam. Many counterfeiters have started to counter this approach by lowering their price just enough to avoid suspicion. Don't forget to do your research. Don't stop as soon as you find one instance of what you're looking for. Comparing prices to determine the average price for the accessory will allow you to make an intelligent decision on what you have observed.

Look closely at the package. At first a package may look creditable, but then some signs appear that it could be selling a scam.

Go to shops that you have had experience with or those that have received high reviews. Visit places you know about, or have been recommended to you by someone you trust. Sometimes the shops are being fooled just as much as you are, and every small shop is not deliberately being crooked by selling you discount car accessories. Distributors will usually purchase from those which have provided good service and good products. Consider purchasing from distributor that you've had previous good experiences with.

Be directly in touch with the manufacturer. The maker of the car can usually tell you if the item is real if you are unsure. Most major companies have protocols for proving the authenticity of accessories. Finding this information may be as simple as the code that is engraved on the part.

Your vehicle, your money, and your life are important. It would be foolish to settle on purchasing discount car accessories just to save a few bucks. Most manufacturers have phone lines or websites devoted to reporting fraudulent aftermarket automotive accessories and parts. Protect yourself, and report these crimes if you feel you've been a victim.

And here is another random article you might be interested in...

Considering a Mortgage Refinance

If you are looking for a mortgage refinance, it never hurts to shop around for the best rate and deal. Shopping around could mean the difference between paying or saving thousands of dollars in closing costs, and interest fees'.

If time happens to be on your side, and you don't need to refinance your mortgage immediately, take some time to educate yourself about the mortgage industry.

By educating yourself about the mortgage industry, you are essentially putting yourself into the driver's seat.

There is so much mortgage jargon, terms, and definitions that will be thrown at you when considering a mortgage refinance, that it is impossible for any one person to understand everything.

It is not necessary to become an expert in the mortgage industry. You just need to have somewhat of an understanding. This way, while you are shopping around for a mortgage refinance, your decision on which lender you want to work with, will be all the more educated.

The mortgage industry is a very competitive one, so by shopping around, and making it clear that you are shopping around to the lenders or brokers you are dealing with, they will be forced to come back at you with the best deal possible. They know that they are competing with other mortgage companies, and they will not want anyone else to get your business, so they will offer you the best rate available to them in order to keep your business.

Keep in mind when a loan officer or broker offers you a deal that sounds too good to be true, it just may be, so be careful. You don't want to get to the closing table only to find out you are not getting what you thought you were getting.

Remember, before you commit to a lender, ask for everything they told you to be sent to you in writing, this way you won't have any surprises at the table.

This is why it is so important to educate yourself about the mortgage industry.

With just a fair amount of knowledge, you will have a general understanding of what you are being offered, and you will be able to determine whether or not the deal is reasonable.

My suggestion to you would be to allow for up to four loan officers or brokers to assess your situation. Whichever one comes back with the best, and most reasonable deal, should be the one for you to consider.